writing

[Guest guest]

My son Zach nds had alot of trouble with his writing

and it was causing him much anxiety in school. He was

chopping off his answers on his written work ,not

writing papers " up to his ability " , being what we

would call lazy if we were not wanting to box him into

that idea about himself. I in fourth grade insisted

this boy be allowed to use a computer to do his

homework and the difference was amazing. All those

words came out that he just could not manually write

because it was so difficult for him. To make a long

story short he got ot and uses the computer whenever

possible. I wish I could afford a laptop as he still

has difficulty with note taking. But he remembers

everything he hears or reads so so far it is not

hinderibg his grades. Pam

--- Rick Dill <rdill@...> wrote:

> There are lots of reasons why writing might be

> delayed in some of our

> kids. One of them is that their fine motor control

> may not have

> developed enough for them to write easily. Jan

> really learned to write

> on computers, at home and at school. She found that

> the computer

> produced the letters she wanted and that it had the

> patience to live

> with her pace. She wrote many, one paragraph, one

> screen, or one page

> sized stories along the way. It wasn't until her

> late teens that she

> developed the fine motor control to write.

>

> There was nothing unusual involved. She used simple

> editor programs

> like 'notepad' today. Then they were Bank Street

> Writer (on Apple II),

> Atariwriter (on the Atari 800), and Personal Editor

> (on the IBM PC

> Junior). In high school she had mastered using

> WordPerfect (for DOS)

> before she really learned to write by hand. When I

> introduced her to

> WordPerfect on Windows, she had about ten minutes

> patience for help

> before she became independent.

>

> All our kids are different, but some might be ready

> to write, but might

> be assisted by a computer in forming the letters.

> For others, different

> approaches might be needed.

>

> Rick

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/18/01 8:01:58 AM Central Daylight Time,

pjenney1@... writes:

> amazing. All those

> words came out that he just could not manually write

>

has had that trouble with speech sometimes, especially when he

was younger. A teacher would ask him a question needing a long answer and it

was just too hard for him to formulate the answer. If you could give him

mulitiple choice, or yes and no, he could do it. He still has trouble

sometimes with that, he will say he doesn't know sometimes when he does know,

it's just too hard to put it all together. Sometimes he writes me notes when

I'm right here. The other night he had a long phone conversation with a

friend of mine and I asked if she asked him to tell me anything and he said

yes, so I said, what, and he answered " something: That's all I ever got.

Sometimes he uses long complicated sentences but if it's to answer a question

it's harder. Jessie

[Guest guest]

I'm with the rest of you on how to motivate to write. We just had Nick IEP

-- will be reconvening to determine placement (school system coordinator

wants him moved, DH & I want him to stay). At the IEP the OT explained that

Nick

has gone through the HWT book twice, he is capable of doing legible

printing, he just prefers not to and wants to rush. I did request possibly

having OT

go into other settings (at random times) to encourage Nick to do the same

time of legible writing in other settings. I'm starting to think Nick

associates legible writing with OT, intelligible speech with Speech, spelling

with

the spelling teacher, (and so forth) and thinks he only has to do those things

with the ones that work on it with him. OT is going to start some

keyboarding with Nick.

Cari

[Guest guest]

I'm with the rest of you on how to motivate to write. We just had Nick IEP

-- will be reconvening to determine placement (school system coordinator

wants him moved, DH & I want him to stay). At the IEP the OT explained that

Nick

has gone through the HWT book twice, he is capable of doing legible

printing, he just prefers not to and wants to rush. I did request possibly

having OT

go into other settings (at random times) to encourage Nick to do the same

time of legible writing in other settings. I'm starting to think Nick

associates legible writing with OT, intelligible speech with Speech, spelling

with

the spelling teacher, (and so forth) and thinks he only has to do those things

with the ones that work on it with him. OT is going to start some

keyboarding with Nick.

Cari

[Guest guest]

My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was

overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.

Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your

birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random

words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He

hated it, so he would pick a topic.

Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the

bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a

new bubble with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday

is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is

another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or

several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get

paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into

the smaller manageable pieces.

Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes

off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying

good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If

sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it

just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him

feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you

take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get

coffee, etc.

Set the hurdles low. Make it easy for your child to succeed.

Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.

Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.

Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then

giant leaps with long periods of no activity.

Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).

Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and

checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.

Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we

progressed to silly sentences and poems.

Hope this helps!

> My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot

difficulty with

> writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he

shared

> with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem

with the

> physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the

occassion

> when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences

about the

> topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a

organizer, bu

> thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across

materials that

> have been helpful in this area. Thanks

>

> Angels

[Guest guest]

I don't know about any materials on the market, but an idea that we used with children that had learning disabilities was "bubbling".

Bubbling is when you write a word on a paper, in the center and circle it. Then any word that comes to mind gets written all around that word; each one is circled.(ONE EXPERIENCE WITH HIS FAMILY---then thoughts about that experience all around it)

When you are done, you connect the bubbles that go together. Or circle them in same color crayons. Those become paragraphs.

Hopefully, you've identified a topic (with the first word) and some subject area for paragraphs. We told them that the first sentence of paragraph one should be a statement about the WHOLE topic; the next 2-3 sentences for each paragraph and the last sentence to conclude their thought.

The 2-3 sentences become the First sentence of each paragraph. Use samples to further explain.

The last paragraph starts with your concluding thought from the first paragraph.

BUBBLING helps kids have fun thinking about things, they can write all over the paper without worring about format, spelling, paper construction etc....

I hope this is helpful, if not sorry.........

Jane

A Bullock <discus_ab@...> wrote:

My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot difficulty with writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he shared with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem with the physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the occassion when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences about the topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a organizer, bu thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across materials that have been helpful in this area. ThanksAngels

[Guest guest]

That sounds like my son, wanting the perfect idea or overwhelmed with

choices.

I'll suggest narrowing the topic for him to his teacher. He was suppose to

write about an occassion with his family. I suggested Easter egg hunt,

because that was recent, he said that it not a special once in lifetime

occassion (he thinks restrictions that have not been suggested).

I have tried an outline with him, with some success. When he gets into class

and the teacher gives the writing assignment, he does not take out the

outline and use it, like we do at home. I have asked her to remind him to

take out his outline. Sometimes this helps, but lately she has not been

reminding him.

I'll try seetting the hurdle lower. For a while, we were making progress, so

I started looking for more sentences. Now we aren't getting any sentences

again. I think the subject is harder for him to, it not as concrete as it

has been.

I think he will like doing the grocery list.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Glad to hear that your son is doing better

with this.

Angels

>From: " catherineladen " <catherineladen@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Subject: Re: Writing

>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 20:24:40 -0000

>

>My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was

>overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.

>

>Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your

>birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random

>words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He

>hated it, so he would pick a topic.

>

>Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the

>bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a

>new bubble with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday

>is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is

>another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or

>several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get

>paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into

>the smaller manageable pieces.

>

>Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes

>off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying

>good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If

>sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it

>just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him

>feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you

>take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get

>coffee, etc.

>

>Set the hurdles low. Make it easy for your child to succeed.

>Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.

>Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.

>Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then

>giant leaps with long periods of no activity.

>

>Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).

>Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and

>checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.

>Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we

>progressed to silly sentences and poems.

>

>Hope this helps!

>

>

>

>

> > My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot

>difficulty with

> > writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he

>shared

> > with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem

>with the

> > physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the

>occassion

> > when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences

>about the

> > topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a

>organizer, bu

> > thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across

>materials that

> > have been helpful in this area. Thanks

> >

> > Angels

>

>

[Guest guest]

You want to hear a nightmare assignment?? My son (11) had to write a story that was like a journal entry "as if" he woke up one morning and he was a African American child and the year was 1955" RIGHT!!

He was so confused he said to me "mom this is not even logically possible, in 1955 Nana was only 5, so you were not even born yet, and therefore I could not even have existed in 1955 so how on earth am I suppose to write this story!" lol.

It struck me funny.

-Charlotte

Re: Writing>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 20:24:40 -0000>>My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was>overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.>>Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your>birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random>words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He>hated it, so he would pick a topic.>>Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the>bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a>new bubble with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday>is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is>another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or>several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get>paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into>the smaller manageable pieces.>>Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes>off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying>good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If>sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it>just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him>feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you>take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get>coffee, etc.>>Set the hurdles low. Make it easy for your child to succeed.>Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.>Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.>Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then>giant leaps with long periods of no activity.>>Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).>Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and>checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.>Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we>progressed to silly sentences and poems.>>Hope this helps!>>>>> > My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot>difficulty with> > writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he>shared> > with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem>with the> > physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the>occassion> > when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences>about the> > topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a>organizer, bu> > thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across>materials that> > have been helpful in this area. Thanks> >> > Angels>>

[Guest guest]

Charlotte

I am still waiting to see if you are going to post that paper!It cracks me up. Actually it sounds like something my husband would say. I've had to say to him, "can you try to pretend just to imagine??"

Janedesigns <scottdesigns@...> wrote:

You want to hear a nightmare assignment?? My son (11) had to write a story that was like a journal entry "as if" he woke up one morning and he was a African American child and the year was 1955" RIGHT!!

He was so confused he said to me "mom this is not even logically possible, in 1955 Nana was only 5, so you were not even born yet, and therefore I could not even have existed in 1955 so how on earth am I suppose to write this story!" lol.

It struck me funny.

-Charlotte

Re: Writing>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 20:24:40 -0000>>My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was>overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.>>Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your>birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random>words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He>hated it, so he would pick a topic.>>Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the>bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a>new bubble

with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday>is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is>another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or>several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get>paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into>the smaller manageable pieces.>>Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes>off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying>good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If>sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it>just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him>feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you>take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get>coffee, etc.>>Set the hurdles low.

Make it easy for your child to succeed.>Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.>Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.>Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then>giant leaps with long periods of no activity.>>Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).>Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and>checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.>Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we>progressed to silly sentences and poems.>>Hope this helps!>>>>> > My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot>difficulty with> > writing. His teacher asked him to write about an

experience that he>shared> > with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem>with the> > physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the>occassion> > when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences>about the> > topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a>organizer, bu> > thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across>materials that> > have been helpful in this area. Thanks> >> > Angels>>

[Guest guest]

My 8 yo dd does this too. Even when you give her an exact topic like write about what you did with your cat this morning. That would seem pretty specific, right? You'll be lucky if you get one sentence. She even has an aide with her who sometimes does the actual writing and still she can't seem to do it. She can sometimes write about the things she is obsessed with, like Kirby or video games. Even then her stories are not cohesive and they ramble. We are going to try resource room next year to work on this. We also hope to get her speech services to help with the language difficulties.A Bullock <discus_ab@...> wrote:

My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot difficulty with writing.

Carol, mom to

, 3/14/94

, 2/18/97

Lily, 9/7/04__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'll try to dig it up tomorrow!

Re: Writing>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 20:24:40 -0000>>My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was>overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.>>Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your>birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random>words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He>hated it, so he would pick a topic.>>Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the>bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a>new bubble with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday>is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is>another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or>several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get>paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into>the smaller manageable pieces.>>Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes>off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying>good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If>sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it>just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him>feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you>take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get>coffee, etc.>>Set the hurdles low. Make it easy for your child to succeed.>Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.>Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.>Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then>giant leaps with long periods of no activity.>>Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).>Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and>checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.>Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we>progressed to silly sentences and poems.>>Hope this helps!>>>>> > My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot>difficulty with> > writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he>shared> > with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem>with the> > physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the>occassion> > when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences>about the> > topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a>organizer, bu> > thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across>materials that> > have been helpful in this area. Thanks> >> > Angels>>

[Guest guest]

My son was very successful with bubbling method. You explained it

much better then me.

> My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot

difficulty with

> writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he

shared

> with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem

with the

> physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the

occassion

> when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences

about the

> topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a

organizer, bu

> thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across

materials that

> have been helpful in this area. Thanks

>

> Angels

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, it good to hear others have these issues, too. My school has no

suggestions of what to do to help. They just allow him to get frustrated

because he can't do the assignment and every one else can.

I asked for Resource room, but was discouraged by his teacher, because she

says the kids in there can't read. And all the time is spent helping them

with their reading. My son is doing find with reading. If the comprehension

is in the form of multiple choice he does fine. If he has to write an essay

response, forget it. I also talk to the Assistant Principal, thinking she

coudl push the issue, but she said the Resource teacher doesn't understand

Autism and what know how to help him. So I'm still looking for answers.

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate all the suggestions.

Angels

>From: carol sobczak <cpsobczak@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Subject: Re: Writing

>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 16:54:53 -0700 (PDT)

>

>My 8 yo dd does this too. Even when you give her an exact topic like write

>about what you did with your cat this morning. That would seem pretty

>specific, right? You'll be lucky if you get one sentence. She even has an

>aide with her who sometimes does the actual writing and still she can't

>seem to do it. She can sometimes write about the things she is obsessed

>with, like Kirby or video games. Even then her stories are not cohesive

>and they ramble. We are going to try resource room next year to work on

>this. We also hope to get her speech services to help with the language

>difficulties.

>

>A Bullock <discus_ab@...> wrote:My son is 8 years old and in third

>grade. He is having a lot difficulty with

>writing.

>

>

>Carol, mom to

>, 3/14/94

>, 2/18/97

>Lily, 9/7/04

>

>

>__________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Boy would that be a challenge. My son could not do that assignment either.

>From: " designs " <scottdesigns@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

><Autism and Aspergers Treatment >

>Subject: Re: Re: Writing

>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 19:01:19 -0400

>

>You want to hear a nightmare assignment?? My son (11) had to write a story

>that was like a journal entry " as if " he woke up one morning and he was a

>African American child and the year was 1955 " RIGHT!!

>He was so confused he said to me " mom this is not even logically possible,

>in 1955 Nana was only 5, so you were not even born yet, and therefore I

>could not even have existed in 1955 so how on earth am I suppose to write

>this story! " lol.

>It struck me funny.

>

>-Charlotte

> Re: Writing

> >Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 20:24:40 -0000

> >

> >My son has issues with this, too. He want the perfect idea or was

> >overhwhelmed with choices. He 13 and getting better.

> >

> >Narrowing the topic will help. Example: You can write about your

> >birthday or christmas morning. Sometimes I would just put a random

> >words in hat and pull it out a couple and that would be the topic. He

> >hated it, so he would pick a topic.

> >

> >Focusing a pre-writing techniques. Making an outline. I like the

> >bubble method. The topic is in the center and draw a line and make a

> >new bubble with something related to the the topic. Example, Birthday

> >is the topic. 8 is another circle (the age he turned) cake is

> >another circle. Present in another. My son then could write one or

> >several sentence on each of the circles. Link the sentences and get

> >paragraph or multiple paragraphs. Basically, breaking it down into

> >the smaller manageable pieces.

> >

> >Setting a timer. If you write x sentences by the time the buzzer goes

> >off, you get a reward. I would extend the time limit, if was applying

> >good effort. I also set a limit at how much time he does homework. If

> >sitting at the kitchen table for hours and not producing any work, it

> >just going to turn him off from learning all-together and make him

> >feel like a failure. Just like a work, if you aren't producing, you

> >take a break and do something else - talk to co-worker, file, get

> >coffee, etc.

> >

> >Set the hurdles low. Make it easy for your child to succeed.

> >Sometimes we know our child can do something, but our child doesn't.

> >Once he sees that he can do that goal, then raise the bar a little.

> >Remember consistant baby steps will get you farther in the end then

> >giant leaps with long periods of no activity.

> >

> >Show them that writing is fun (for some) and useful (for all).

> >Writing is skill that we all need. Helping write the grocery list and

> >checking it off, might be fun for some kids. My son loved Mad Libs.

> >Sometimes just getting them to write one word is progress. Then we

> >progressed to silly sentences and poems.

> >

> >Hope this helps!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > > My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot

> >difficulty with

> > > writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he

> >shared

> > > with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem

> >with the

> > > physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the

> >occassion

> > > when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences

> >about the

> > > topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a

> >organizer, bu

> > > thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across

> >materials that

> > > have been helpful in this area. Thanks

> > >

> > > Angels

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

I am having the same issues and I actually have my sons IEP today... I am expecting a fight.... Let me tell you this... I am not going down without a fight... wish me luck!!!!!!!! say a prayer for me... I will do the same for you

in LancasterA Bullock <discus_ab@...> wrote:

Thanks, it good to hear others have these issues, too. My school has no suggestions of what to do to help. They just allow him to get frustrated because he can't do the assignment and every one else can.I asked for Resource room, but was discouraged by his teacher, because she says the kids in there can't read. And all the time is spent helping them with their reading. My son is doing find with reading. If the comprehension is in the form of multiple choice he does fine. If he has to write an essay response, forget it. I also talk to the Assistant Principal, thinking she coudl push the issue, but she said the Resource teacher doesn't understand Autism and what know how to help him. So I'm still looking for answers. Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate all the suggestions.Angels>From: carol sobczak

<cpsobczak@...>>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment >Autism and Aspergers Treatment >Subject: Re: Writing>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 16:54:53 -0700 (PDT)>>My 8 yo dd does this too. Even when you give her an exact topic like write >about what you did with your cat this morning. That would seem pretty >specific, right? You'll be lucky if you get one sentence. She even has an >aide with her who sometimes does the actual writing and still she can't >seem to do it. She can sometimes write about the things she is obsessed >with, like Kirby or video games. Even then her stories are not cohesive >and they ramble. We are going to try resource room next year to work on >this. We also hope to get her speech services to help with the language >difficulties.>>A Bullock <discus_ab@...>

wrote:My son is 8 years old and in third >grade. He is having a lot difficulty with>writing.>>>Carol, mom to>, 3/14/94>, 2/18/97>Lily, 9/7/04>>>__________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the suggestion. He had been doing that, I think we need to go

back to it again. Without the suggestion fromt he moms here, I don't think I

would have tried it again. However, after listening to the moms here, I

think we willl go back to bubbling again and see if that help with ideas and

outlining for him. Thank you.

>From: JANE MAJEWSKI <janemajewski@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Subject: Re: Writing

>Date: Tue, 10 May 2005 15:41:02 -0700 (PDT)

>

>I don't know about any materials on the market, but an idea that we used

>with children that had learning disabilities was " bubbling " .

>

>Bubbling is when you write a word on a paper, in the center and circle it.

>Then any word that comes to mind gets written all around that word; each

>one is circled.(ONE EXPERIENCE WITH HIS FAMILY---then thoughts about that

>experience all around it)

>

>When you are done, you connect the bubbles that go together. Or circle them

>in same color crayons. Those become paragraphs.

>

>Hopefully, you've identified a topic (with the first word) and some subject

>area for paragraphs. We told them that the first sentence of paragraph one

>should be a statement about the WHOLE topic; the next 2-3 sentences for

>each paragraph and the last sentence to conclude their thought.

>

>The 2-3 sentences become the First sentence of each paragraph. Use samples

>to further explain.

>

>The last paragraph starts with your concluding thought from the first

>paragraph.

>

>

>BUBBLING helps kids have fun thinking about things, they can write all over

>the paper without worring about format, spelling, paper construction

>etc....

>

>I hope this is helpful, if not sorry.........

>

>Jane

>A Bullock <discus_ab@...> wrote:

>My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot difficulty

>with

>writing. His teacher asked him to write about an experience that he shared

>with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He has no problem with the

>physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to him. And on the occassion

>when you can get him to write. He just writes a bunch of sentences about

>the

>topic, but the sentences are not related. We have tried a organizer, bu

>thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone come across materials that

>have been helpful in this area. Thanks

>

>Angels

>

>

>

>

>---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Ask for an Autism Specialist be recruited for your team. District

usually have one, if they don't you can bring one in at District

expense (check w/ advocate on the legal rules) The writing problem is

common for kids on the specturm. There should be a goal on your Son's

IEP to improve his writing. I used the district standard to get it my

son's.

It so frustrating, when the parent comes up the solutions, when the

district has the resources to help but doesn't bring it to the table.

If their Autism Specialist doesn't have clue, then request an outside

educational consultant to recruited. Find and make a list of

educational consultant in your area that deal with Autism. Start with

your local Austism Support Group for referrals.

I spent way to much time, trying to find the solutions myself, rather

then requesting that SD find the appropriate resources.

Happy advocating.

My son is 8 years old and in

third

> >grade. He is having a lot difficulty with

> >writing.

> >

> >

> >Carol, mom to

> >, 3/14/94

> >, 2/18/97

> >Lily, 9/7/04

> >

> >

> >__________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the suggestion. We actually had an Autism specialist, my

assistant prinicple decided we only got him for 6 more weeks at the

beginning of the school year. He was the one that gave my son the organizing

sheet that he currently has. Then the guy was faded to work with more severe

kids and the resource person (the one that doesn't understand high

functioning autism). We originally had him because I won a compliance

complaint against the school, now they are smart enough not to write

anything in the IEP that they can't fill. I'll ask my advocate to push on

writing goals, but we already have a fight ahead of us for the NPA aide.

This year, my son was the only included child that had an aide. Can you

believe it ? That's ridiculous. We are going to have to fight again to keep

our aide.

I'll talk to advocate and see what he suggest on the issue.

I know what you about having to come up with all the answer yourself, when

the school has the resources and the money.

I'll check with my local autism group for an educational consultant. Thank

you

Angels

>From: " catherineladen " <catherineladen@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Autism and Aspergers Treatment

>Subject: Re: Writing

>Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 21:35:11 -0000

>

>Ask for an Autism Specialist be recruited for your team. District

>usually have one, if they don't you can bring one in at District

>expense (check w/ advocate on the legal rules) The writing problem is

>common for kids on the specturm. There should be a goal on your Son's

>IEP to improve his writing. I used the district standard to get it my

>son's.

>

>It so frustrating, when the parent comes up the solutions, when the

>district has the resources to help but doesn't bring it to the table.

>If their Autism Specialist doesn't have clue, then request an outside

>educational consultant to recruited. Find and make a list of

>educational consultant in your area that deal with Autism. Start with

>your local Austism Support Group for referrals.

>

>I spent way to much time, trying to find the solutions myself, rather

>then requesting that SD find the appropriate resources.

>

>Happy advocating.

>

>

>

>My son is 8 years old and in

>third

> > >grade. He is having a lot difficulty with

> > >writing.

> > >

> > >

> > >Carol, mom to

> > >, 3/14/94

> > >, 2/18/97

> > >Lily, 9/7/04

> > >

> > >

> > >__________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

Writing

My son is 8 years old and in third grade. He is having a lot difficulty

with

writing. His teacher asked him to write about an

experience that he shared

with his family. He put nothing on the paper. He

has no problem with the

physical act of writing. He says no ideas come to

him. And on the occassion

when you can get him to write. He just writes a

bunch of sentences about the

topic, but the sentences are not related. We have

tried a organizer, bu

thave not found a good one for him. Has anyone

come across materials that

have been helpful in this area. Thanks

Angels

****************Hi, a program that has

been recommended to me for my son is called Inspiration. Do a search on

educational programs inspiration and you will come up with it. There is also Kidspiration.

These programs are also recommended by a state adaptive learning center. Your

son will need something like this because get information on paper is not as

easy as it seems. SRA specific skill series is also good. We are going to also

try Venn diagrams for my son. Being in Ps. I would

recommend they set up Kidspiraton for him to do in the Fall as soon as he is

back in school….Gail

,12

[Guest guest]

Re:

Writing

Thanks, it good to hear others have these issues, too. My school has no

suggestions of what to do to help. They just allow

him to get frustrated

because he can't do the assignment and every one

else can.

I asked for Resource room, but was discouraged by

his teacher, because she

says the kids in there can't read. And all the

time is spent helping them

with their reading.

***************I wonder

about using the resource room with the computer programs I mentioned,

Kidspiration and/or Inspiration…….I don’t think the regular

classroom will be much help unless there is a quiet area he could work on these

programs with help……….Gail

[Guest guest]

Re:

Writing

Thanks, it good to hear others have these issues, too. My school has no

suggestions of what to do to help. They just allow

him to get frustrated

because he can't do the assignment and every one

else can.

I asked for Resource room, but was discouraged by

his teacher, because she

says the kids in there can't read. And all the

time is spent helping them

with their reading.

***************I wonder

about using the resource room with the computer programs I mentioned,

Kidspiration and/or Inspiration…….I don’t think the regular

classroom will be much help unless there is a quiet area he could work on these

programs with help……….Gail

[Guest guest]

Here is just a wee thought that helped my son... Tyler did better with the

" bubble " system, but it wasn't enough as he got older and the requirements

became more regimented. What his teacher came up with was this:

Instead of bubbles, he learned to use a " spider body " . The body would be the

main topic and each leg would be sub-topics relating to the main topic. Each

leg needed at least three hairs (smaller points relating to the sub-topic)

to remain attached. To write the paper, the body would be expanded to

introduce the topic (a hook I believe it is now called). Each leg would

become the topic sentence for that paragraph with each hair being a

supporting sentence in the paragraph. The legs would be ordered/numbered by

chronological/importance/story flow so he would know which leg/paragraph to

put first. Then to close, he would go back to the body and summarize how it

held the legs together... This gave him a sense of order, a structure, and

helped him know whether a sub-topic was large enough to support a full

paragraph, or whether it needed to be a " hair " .

Now this has worked so well, that on any assignments that he has more than

10 minutes to write, he gets full points. We still are really struggling

with the first five minutes of English Comp class this year, because they

walk into the classroom with a subject on the board and have to get a

composed paper with at least 150 words in 5 minutes. Most kids in the class

really book and are doing fine with this... Tyler is having real problems

organizing and writing in that time period, especially since his small motor

skills are still delayed/underdeveloped and he has trouble writing even when

he knows what he is trying to get down! Anyway, he usually gets around 50

words down, which gives him a daily " D " for that assignment. If he weren't

getting 100% on all the other assignments he has in that class, he would be

in real trouble (or at least feel like a failure...) Instead, it just drops

him down to a B each quarter... Perhaps it will kick in yet, but I doubt

it... I was valedictorian in two different colleges, graduating from both

with a 4.0 GPA, and I still can't write quickly as my small motor skills are

still a bit lacking... Yet, I too compensated with my other skills. For most

teachers in college, it isn't how much you write, but WHAT you write that

counts. There are time limits, but nothing so extreme as what I see in the

younger levels...

~hugs~

Rabecca

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

My so was also doing well with the bubble system. The spider body sounds

like a good next step for him. I think I'll start it this summer and have

him use it all summer and see ow he does with it. This sounds like a great

next step for him. Thank you for your suggestion.

Angels

>From: " Rabecca Whalen " <rabeccawhalen@...>

>Reply-Autism and Aspergers Treatment

><Autism and Aspergers Treatment >

>Subject: RE: writing

>Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 07:22:53 -0700

>

>Here is just a wee thought that helped my son... Tyler did better with the

> " bubble " system, but it wasn't enough as he got older and the requirements

>became more regimented. What his teacher came up with was this:

>

>Instead of bubbles, he learned to use a " spider body " . The body would be

>the

>main topic and each leg would be sub-topics relating to the main topic.

>Each

>leg needed at least three hairs (smaller points relating to the sub-topic)

>to remain attached. To write the paper, the body would be expanded to

>introduce the topic (a hook I believe it is now called). Each leg would

>become the topic sentence for that paragraph with each hair being a

>supporting sentence in the paragraph. The legs would be ordered/numbered by

>chronological/importance/story flow so he would know which leg/paragraph to

>put first. Then to close, he would go back to the body and summarize how it

>held the legs together... This gave him a sense of order, a structure, and

>helped him know whether a sub-topic was large enough to support a full

>paragraph, or whether it needed to be a " hair " .

>

>Now this has worked so well, that on any assignments that he has more than

>10 minutes to write, he gets full points. We still are really struggling

>with the first five minutes of English Comp class this year, because they

>walk into the classroom with a subject on the board and have to get a

>composed paper with at least 150 words in 5 minutes. Most kids in the class

>really book and are doing fine with this... Tyler is having real problems

>organizing and writing in that time period, especially since his small

>motor

>skills are still delayed/underdeveloped and he has trouble writing even

>when

>he knows what he is trying to get down! Anyway, he usually gets around 50

>words down, which gives him a daily " D " for that assignment. If he weren't

>getting 100% on all the other assignments he has in that class, he would be

>in real trouble (or at least feel like a failure...) Instead, it just drops

>him down to a B each quarter... Perhaps it will kick in yet, but I doubt

>it... I was valedictorian in two different colleges, graduating from both

>with a 4.0 GPA, and I still can't write quickly as my small motor skills

>are

>still a bit lacking... Yet, I too compensated with my other skills. For

>most

>teachers in college, it isn't how much you write, but WHAT you write that

>counts. There are time limits, but nothing so extreme as what I see in the

>younger levels...

>

>~hugs~

>Rabecca

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The school was very concerned with the way Faith wrote, her private OT was not. The OT said the product was much more important than the way it was produced...makes sense. We continually modeled the correct way to hold a pencil and she proceeded from the palmar grip to a sort of tripod. She stuck out her little finger to balance her hand, it worked for her. Now at 9 she has a more normal looking tripod grip and her printing is getting smaller and more legible. The OT said that usually happens once the child is not concentrating so hard on how to form the letters.

ette

-------------- Original message from "Sue Mayer" <suelmayer@...>: --------------

Hi,

I am homeschooling my son, Sam who is 6 years old with Down Syndrome. How did you start your children writing and holding a marker, crayon, pencil correctly? Did you use any particular method or grips? I have been attempting to do hand over hand but to add to the fun Sam appears to be left handed and I am right handed. It's kind of comical to watch us.

Sue

Mom to 3 including Sam (6) with DS

[Guest guest]

My son is 17, and in the 11th grade, his hand writing is better than it has ever been. He used to write the b or d backwards, I think it gets confusing sometimes for them. He did have some OT when he was younger, but I think what really improved his hand writing was just doing it over and over. At his school they work in booklets called "paces", and at their own speed. And if they have a letter or word the student has to write that letter or word out at least 6- 8 times.

I can honestly say that I did not think he would ever be able to write, but he gets better and better all the time, if I can get him to go to school. haha He has trouble socializing too, but I feel strongly that being bullied has ruined that for him in many ways. He just won't let his guard down. Not even with some family members. It is getting to be a problem, because it looks and sounds so rude to others. And it embarrasses us. And makes problems at school. But we are hanging in there. We know how sweet he really is and we love him very much.

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